The Locket (2002)

Gentle sentiment turns The Locket into an old-fashioned weeper for anyone who loved Driving Miss Daisy. It's not nearly as effective as that 1989 Oscar®-winner, but this Hallmark Hall of Fame production--adapted from the novel by Richard Paul Evans--has similar charms of its own, and its warm-hearted themes of love and compassion offer a welcomed alternative to network sex and violence. After caring for his terminally ill mother, an aspiring medical student named Michael (Chad Willett) works at a nursing home, where an elderly resident (Vanessa Redgrave) teaches him valuable lessons using her own past--and a long-lost love--to illustrate the importance of second chances. Their friendship, and an unexpected court trial, encourages Michael to reconcile with his estranged father (Terry O'Quinn), with the support of his loving fiancée (Marguerite Moreau). No surprises here, but have your Kleenex handy just in case. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Wonderful movie, good acting

This is a really good Hallmark movie if a little sappy at times. I think Vanessa Redgrave- who is always phenomenal- as Esther Huish was a good casting choice. The best parts in the movie are scenes with her and Chad Willet and how she teaches him about love, forgiveness, and never giving up hope. Some of the scenes are a little corny but the movie really speaks volumes about life's important things. It is interesting to see how Chad Willet's character Michael evolves through the movie into someone who can love and be loved and isn't burdened by resentment. Also, I really liked how Ester and Michael's friendship evolves- it doesn't happen all at once which I think is realistic. So overall, a really great feel good movie. April 21, 2008

The Locket

If you like Richard Paul Evans you won't want to miss this movie, but fair warning keep the hankie handy. This movie stars Vanessa Redgrave as a women in a nursing home who had a deep love once in her life. A young man comes to work in the home, and the two hit it off and become friends and help each other with their "lost" dreams. It is a very moving story, and has much sadness included, but don't worry the ending is a happy one, and Vanessa's characters final wish is carried out for her by her loving friend. March 25, 2008

Very touching movie

I thought this movie was great! I've read the book, and though the book is better(it usually is) I thought the movie was still very good. It was very well casted with great actors. And the storyline is great. It is definitly a tear jerker. It's such a great story and very touching. It is appropriate for familys to watch together too, although it's not really a kid movie. For those who enjoy high-quality, touching stories, this movie is for you. March 6, 2008

Slow movie

A so/so movie. Love Vanessa Redgrave but this movie is not the best. Obviously, a made for tv movie.
May 6, 2007

very mixed bag

On the one hand, you have Richard Paul Evans' usual deft deployment of sure-fire heart-tugging material: parents and children, husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends. This is can't miss material (still, it must be said that a lot of moviemakers manage to miss with it anyway). In this movie, they work. It doesn't hurt, of course, that you have a master like Vanessa Redgrave playing one of the major roles.

On the other hand, one could wish that Evans (whose field is Public Relations) had not achieved success so easily when he started. Otherwise, he might have read one or two books on novel-writing and learned the basics. In this movie, the main character's problems are caused by the main character. That would be okay if they were unavoidable or excusable.

But first, the guy wrecks his relationship with the love of his life because her father tells him it's better for her. And this type of moralistic man does the "right" thing no matter how much it hurts other people. He also does not confide in her why he's doing this. It's curious that these two traits of moral rigidity and a nondisclosure that amounts to dishonesty should occur in the same person, yet in life these two are in fact quite often found together. So, at least it's realistic. (That doesn't make it good writing, however.) In fact, he tells her it's best for her. She tells HIM "this is best for me". He totally discounts this. He knows what's best for her better than she does. In other words, he shows himself to be a male chauvinist also.

Then, he does stupid things, viz. not reporting a co-worker whom he overhears beating one of the elderly patients. Then, he does an even stupider thing, after being arrested for murder of this patient, he doesn't tell on her. Then, he tops that in stupidity: after he has been forbidden by the court from going to the nursing home, he--you guessed it--goes to the nursing home!

The reason writing books forbid this kind of thing is that it infuriates the reader or audience. In this case, it also strains credibility.
May 26, 2006

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